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Old 17-12-2020, 10:57 AM
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Tulloch (Andrew)
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Loan of a wide field colour camera for the weekend?

Hi all, as you may be aware, the great Jupiter/Saturn conjunction is coming up this weekend, and I would really like to capture this event with as high a resolution as possible. I've been imaging the planets for 2 years now, most recently with my ASI224MC camera, which is ideal for planetary but has a very small sensor. This is fine for planetary, but not so great for the conjunction. Some recent examples of my work is here.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=184973

I've worked out that with my current setup I will just be able to capture the conjunction with a reasonable level of resolution, but I'm limited due to the sensor size of the camera. Ideally, something like an ASI183MC, or even a 294MC or 533MC would work but I don't have access to these.

So, if you have one of these (or a similar colour camera) and you don't plan to use it over the coming few days, live in Melbourne, and don't mind lending it to me, I would be very grateful.

Thanks in advance,

Andrew

Last edited by Tulloch; 17-12-2020 at 07:18 PM.
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Old 17-12-2020, 05:59 PM
JA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tulloch View Post
I've worked out that with my current setup I will just be able to capture the conjunction with a reasonable level of resolution, but I'm limited due to the sensor size of the camera. Ideally, something like an ASI183MC, or even a 294MC or 533MC would work but I don't have access to these.

So, if you have one of these (or something similar) and you don't plan to use it over the coming few days, live in Melbourne, and don't mind lending it to me, I would be very grateful.

Thanks in advance,

Andrew
Hi Andrew,

I don't have any of those cameras, but I do have a 290MC which on your C9.25 without barlow would give you a bit more resolution (0.25 arcsec/pixel) compared with the (0.33 arcsec/pixel) of your 224MC and allow a slightly more comfortable framing, albeit still at the corners of the frame to just fit in the conjunction at around 7 arcmin separation on the 21stDec. Given how close the planets are to the corners, a day before or after the 21st and it would not fit.

You could also try adapting a 4K video camera/mirrorless/DSLR to the task.

Best
JA

Last edited by JA; 17-12-2020 at 06:11 PM.
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Old 17-12-2020, 06:53 PM
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Tulloch (Andrew)
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Thanks for the offer JA, it's going to be tight with either camera. I have an f/6.3 focal reducer which will be essential with the 224 and 9.25", while my 6" at f/6.3 will fit easily but will result in an even lower resolution.

Given the poor weather forecast for Monday, it looks like Sunday will be the best anyway, so I'll have to go with 6" (or a larger sensor). I'm also looking at my Canon 700D as another option.

I do appreciate the offer, but I'm hoping someone might have a larger option available (and who is willing to trust it to some random off the internet ). It's a long shot, but if you don't ask ...

Thanks again,

Andrew
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Old 18-12-2020, 02:35 PM
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Ok Plan B:

You can use my Panasonic G7 which has a 4K video mode at 30fps which is as fast as most other astro-cams at similar full resolution. It uses Panasonic's Micro 4/3 sensor (as in, it is believed, the ASI1600MC). Only one possible issue is mechanically coupling it to your scope. I have a Micro4/3 adapter that takes it from the Panasonic Micro4/3 Lens mount on the camera to a Nikon F female Bayonet, which then I have a Nikon Tmount to 48mm x 0.75 T-ring and then to an M48 to 2 inch nose piece. If you can fit a 2 inch nose piece in your scope then all's well. If not there's a problem as I don't have an M48 to 1.25inch nose piece, only an M42 to 1.25 nose piece.

Nonetheless if you have previously used your Canon 1100D on your scope then that was probably with a T-ring/Nose piece. You could simply unscrew its nose piece as it should have(???) an M48 threaded nose piece and be good to go with the adapter and Nikon bits in between. The flange focal distance for the Canon EF mount (44.0mm) is not that different to the Nikon F, so if you've achieved focus with the Canon, then focus should be achievable at the Nikon Flange Focal distance (46.5mm) as there is probably an extra 2.5mm of travel in the system.

The above suggested configuration would achieve 0.46 arcsec/pixel (as per 1st image below). I also have a 0.72x reducer/adapter that can be used instead of the standard mount adapter to achieve an image scale of 0.33 arcsec/pixel (as per 2nd image below) . This would be good to use when the separation is wide as it currently is now (~25 arcminutes). Then on Saturday/Sunday remove the reducer for better frame fill/image scale and possibly use a 1.4xTC to produce an image scale of 0.24 arcsec/pixel (as per 3rd image below) on Sunday 20DEC when the planets are 12 arcminutes apart and then go crazy, weather permitting on Monday 21DEC add a Barlow or 2xTC to achieve an image scale of 0.16 arcsec/pixel (as per 1st image below) .


0.46 arcsec/pixel
18DEC2020 at 2100
Jupiter-Saturn at ~25 arcminutes apart, Panasonic G7, 0.72x Reducer, 2350mm focal length
NB: Without the reducer the conjunction would be at the extreme corners of the frame albeit with better 0.33 arcsec/pixel image scale
Click image for larger version

Name:	Jupiter-Saturn at  2100 on 18DEC2020 Panasonic G& 0.7x 2350mm.jpg
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Size:	139.9 KB
ID:	269588


0.33 arcsec/pixel
18DEC2020 at 2100
Jupiter-Saturn at ~25 arcminutes apart, Panasonic G7, NO Reducer, 2350mm focal length
NB: Without the reducer the conjunction is now at the extreme corners of the frame
Click image for larger version

Name:	Jupiter-Saturn at  2100 on 18DEC2020 Panasonic G7 2350mm.jpg
Views:	9
Size:	169.0 KB
ID:	269589


0.24 arcsec/pixel
20DEC2020 at 2100
Jupiter-Saturn at ~12 arcminutes apart, Panasonic G7, 1.4xTC, 2350mm focal length. The 1.4xTC balances the frame somewhat, but if you don't mind then planets at the extreme edge go for the 2x barlow or TC.
Click image for larger version

Name:	Jupiter-Saturn at  2100 on 20DEC2020 Panasonic G7 1.4xTC 2350mm.jpg
Views:	7
Size:	162.1 KB
ID:	269593


0.16 arcsec/pixel
21DEC2020 at 2100
Jupiter-Saturn at ~7 arcminutes apart, Panasonic G7, 2xTC or Barlow, 2350mm focal length. The 2xTC pushes Callisto a tiny bit out of top of the frame. Some careful reframing/rotation may bring it in to frame but would put everything else at the frame edges. Probably not preferable.
Click image for larger version

Name:	Jupiter-Saturn at  2100 on 21DEC2020 Panasonic G7 2xTC 2350mm.jpg
Views:	16
Size:	145.2 KB
ID:	269594


Beyond that..... Go take some pictures.

Best
JA

Last edited by JA; 18-12-2020 at 03:53 PM. Reason: add pics - for fun
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Old 20-12-2020, 07:09 AM
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Tulloch (Andrew)
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Thanks for your kind offers, but it looks like I will have to go with the ASI224MC.

Andrew
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